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An Interview with Elizabeth Anderson, Executive Director of the World Justice Project

In this episode of Justice Speaks, we turn to the topic of the Rule of Law, interviewing Elizabeth (Betsy) Anderson, Executive Director of the World Justice Project (WJP).

The episode starts with an introduction of Ms. Anderson.  She “got bitten by the international law bug,” working as a legal assistant for a judge on the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.  While working for the Tribunal, she learned about the power of international institutions to solve intractable problems that emerge from conflict.  It was during that time she was exposed to what can happen when the rule of law is not present.  It was that work that ultimately set her on her career path to strengthen and respect human rights and the rule of law.

About The World Justice Project

The episode continues with a discussion on what the World Justice Project is and the work it does across the globe. The WJP is a non-profit, non-partisan organization based in Washington D.C., with offices in Seattle, United States, Mexico City, Mexico, and Singapore, working across the globe to advance the rule of law.  

WJP evolved from an effort to develop a global definition and determine if it was possible to measure the rule of law.  Its mission is to create knowledge, build awareness, and stimulate action to advance the rule of law worldwide.  

What is the Rule of Law

The definition of the Rule of Law developed by the WJP is that it is a durable system of laws, institutions, norms, and community commitment that delivers four universal principles:

1. Accountability;
2. Just Law;
3. Open Government; and,
4. Accessible and Impartial Justice.

As Ms. Anderson puts it, while there is a consensus around this definition by a number of national and international organizations, there is an enormous amount of confusion by the popular media on what the rule of law means. 

During the discussion there is a recognition that the rule of law must be durable, and it is more than a just court system.  As noted by Ms. Anderson, a person may go to the courts when the rule of law has broken down.  Ultimately, the rule of law relies on community commitment and its social contract to be effective and it can never be taken for granted.

Why the Rule of Law Matters

The WJP has found that when the rule of law is strong, a society is generally better situated.  A strong rule of law foundation typically corelates to more wealth in a society, more health, lower infant mortality, higher achievement of education, and more peace in that society. The rule of law is ultimately the foundation for a safe and just society.

The Rule of Law Index

The WJP created the Rule of Law Index which measures the rule of law using eight different factors. Those eight factors are then broken down even further.  Using all of those factors, the WJP then takes a survey of the general population and legal practitioners in 140 countries. The answers are scored and aggregated with an overall score created that is comparable to the scores of other countries. The important point that Ms. Anderson noted at this point is that every country has its strengths and its weaknesses when considering the rule of law; we all have work to do to improve it.

The Index was developed approximately 12 years ago, but it is since 2015 that the study has been done the same way in counties across the globe which then creates an effective means of evaluating the growth or decline of the rule of law in a country or across the globe.  

The Index is now published annually, with October 26, 2022, as its next release date.

A Global Snapshot of the Rule of Law

The big picture of the rule of law is that globally, more countries have declined in the index than improved, including the United States.  We discuss the impact COVID had on the rule of law, especially since governments were mandating the lack of freedom of assembly, and halting the timeliness of justice.  Those limitations were understandable, and it is believed that as the pandemic lessens, so will those actions.  However, other actions such as increases in discrimination and declines in the constraints of government powers were more concerning.  

The upcoming release of the index on October 26^th will be an important snapshot of how things stand now as the impact of the pandemic declines.  Ms. Anderson is hopeful that there will be some improvement, such as timeliness of justice, but there are other trends that are concerning and it will be an important to see what the index displays regarding the rule of law. 

How Can the WJP Impact the Rule of Law?

Ms. Anderson noted that improving the rule of law everywhere begins with information and then bringing that information to light.  With that knowledge, it is possible to then have a constructive conversation on what is happening in a particular location as well as to compare progress over time.  

WJP works with partners around the world to identify and implement best practices that can strengthen the rule of law and then share that information. While there is no one size fits all tool, since it is an individual approach that depends in part on the government, there are certain elements and strategies that are universal.  

One of the ways WJP works to increase knowledge and awareness, is to host the “World Justice Challenge” that recognizes effective rule of law projects from around the globe.  Winners of the challenge are highlighted, with their innovative efforts displayed so that other organizations can see what is being done.  Hopefully it can inspire those individuals and organizations to take it to the next level.  As Ms. Anderson said, it is truly amazing to see what efforts are being made across the globe to strengthen the rule of law.

Rule of Law Leadership

Strengthening the rule of law can start with one person.  It requires individuals to take action to ensure the implementation of the rule of law; to make decisions of integrity, and honesty and fairness.  Ms. Anderson noted that it can be very difficult or even personally compromising at times to stand up for the rule of law.

More work to do

The WJP has a number of priority countries, including the United States where it emphasizes the importance of the rule of law.  She noted that the United States has been held as a beacon of the rule of law, but over the past several years there has been a decline.

Additionally, the WJP is now taking the Index from a national level and trying to examine localities on how the rule of law is improving or declining at that location.  One particular effort has been done in Mexico looking at its individual states and how those states can improve.  The WJP is taking that work and expanding it to the European Union, going to sub-national levels on the rule of law. 

While the WJP has more to do, Ms. Anderson remains optimistic that it is possible to find willing partners and effective approaches to enhance the rule of law.  What she has seen thus far can be inspiring.  

For More Information 

To learn more, go to worldjusticeproject.org.  The WJP also has a variety of social media channels.  Any legal practitioners who want to answer the survey and help the WJP, can send an email to: wjp@worldjusticeproject.org   It is also possible to subscribe to the WJP newsletter. 

You can watch this interview by going to the Justice Speakers Institutes’ YouTube Channel or by clicking here.

Register for the 2022 Rule of Law Index

Be among the first to hear the findings of the 2022 World Justice Project Rule of Law Index. Attend the global launch livestream on Wednesday, October 26, at 10 am EDT.

Register now:

Explore rankings and insights from the World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index: https://worldjusticeproject.org/rule-of-law-index/

(The Index website will update on October 26 with new 2022 scores and findings.)

The WJP Rule of Law Index is the world’s leading source of independent, original data on the rule of law around the world. It covers 140 countries and jurisdictions, and measures rule of law across eight factors and 44 sub-factors.  

For instance, the Index measures Criminal Justice across these seven sub-factors:

• Criminal investigative system is effective
• Criminal adjudication system is timely and effective
• Correctional system is effective in reducing criminal behavior
• Criminal justice is impartial
• Criminal justice is free of corruption
• Criminal justice is free of improper government influence
• Due process of the law and rights of the accused

Stay informed on the Index and the rule of law movement by signing up for WJP’s mailing list: https://worldjusticeproject.org/about-us/connect/email-sign